THE ZEPHYRS

The Zephyrs, all from Stockton, are - from left to right at the back - Alan Coverdale on guitar; Barrie Miller on bass guitar and vocals; Tommy Harbron on lead guitar and vocals. In the front is Dennis Coleman, drums and vocals with Rett Allen (Alan Harrison) lead vocalist.

The Zephyrs at the same venue in 1964.

The Zephyrs performing "Speedy Gonzales" at Aycliffe Workmens Club in 1964.

Having a good time!

The Zephyrs at the Club Fiesta, in Norton. Barrie Miller says "We had the great pleasure of appearing with Dusty Springfield and this photograph was displayed outside the entrance." It shows Allan Coverdale rhythm guitarist, Denny Coleman on drums, Tommy Harbron lead guitar and Barrie Miller on bass. Rett Allen had left the band and was replaced by Tony Martin, who is still on the circuit today.

The two photographs directly above were taken at the Oxford Galleries in Newcastle. The one on the right shows the band with TV presenter Tom Coyne. They are all in a happy mood as they had just won the north east final of the All England Walls Ice Cream sponsored Beat Group competition - beating the local red hot favourites band The 16 Strings from Whitley Bay.

Christmas in Whitley Bay - the lads having a good time with long standing friend George Robinson.

The Zephrons with Alan Coverdale, Barrie Miller and Tommy Harbron at the back with Dennis Coleman and Tony Martin in the front. The band were forced to change their name to The Zephrons because of broadcasting and contract problems. There was another band called The Zephyrs who were also recording at the time. Tony Martin, formerly of The Blue Caps, replaced Rett Allen in February 1965 and this photograph was once featured outside the Club Fiesta, in Norton, when the band appeared there.

The Zephrons with Alan Coverdale, Barrie Miller and Tommy Harbron at the back with Dennis Coleman and Tony Martin at the front. The same photographic session as above but in glorious colour this time.

This one is slightly out of focus but still worth including on this page. It shows the original Zephyrs, taken at Jack Marriott Photography Studio around 1961/62. The line up is, left to right on the back row, Tommy Harbron on lead guitar, Denny Coleman on drums and Barrie Miller on bass. In the front row is Alan Coverdale on rhythm with Rett Allen (Alan Harrison) lead vocalist.

The Zephrons with Barrie Miller on bass guitar, Tommy Harbron on lead, Denny Coleman on drums, Tony Martin on lead vocals Alan Coverdale on rhythm guitar.

Not the best of quality but good to see The Zephyrs in 2002.

This page is dedicated to the memory of Alan Harrison (Rett Allen) who died in July 2007, Alan Coverdale who passed away on November 3rd, 2015, TV presenter Tom Coyne who passed away in April, 2015 and Tommy Harbron who passed way on May 29th, 2017.

This website is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

The Zephyrs

A brief history of The Zephyrs as written by Barrie Miller:

The Zephyrs band was formed by three school mates in 1959. These boys - Tommy Harbron, Alan Coverdale and Barrie Miller - were joined by Dennis Coleman who wanted to learn to play guitar. Dennis was told, if he wanted to join the band, he would have to be our drummer. Apart from bass player changes this is how The Zephyrs remained for many years. I left the band in 1970 but returned for the our revival in 2000 for a Millennium gig. The gigs continued with great success until the band finally called it a day in 2005. The band were forced to change their name to The Zephrons because of broadcasting problems as there was another Zephyrs band who were also recording. I think our manager, Len Harbron, (Tommy's dad) should get a mention. After all he was responsible for the total running of the band - which he did with remarkable success. Len and his wife, Meg, are in the middle of the group socialising (below) - and in the background on the Tom Coyne photograph to the left. Len was very strict and inspected the bands dress before they went on stage. Barrie says: "I have Len to thank for pointing me in the right direction during my early days. "He was like a second father to us all and if we stepped out of line we were in big trouble".

This one dates to about 1965 with Rett Allen on the left.

A very early photograph taken at Richardsons and Westgarth Club in Hartlepool. Back then the band had to carry their gear and use buses!

The band socialising with friends.

The Zephrons
as a three-piece with Dave Watkin on bass, Denny Coleman on drums and Tommy Harbron on lead guitar. This was taken at Ye Old Durhams Workingmen’s Club in Hartlepool round 1976.

The Zephyrs, half way through reformation, with a change of lead vocalist when Rett Allen left the band. This was at Shildon Workingmen’s Club around 2003/04. This photo shows Alan Coverdale, Barrie Miller, Terry Sheehan (as the new lead vocalist), Tommy Harbron and Denny Coleman.

The Zephyrs in 2005.

An old newspaper cutting, sent to us by Mike Watson of the Country Gentleman, showing The Zephrons, with Tony Martin, playing at the Stanley Social Club, Brenda Road, in West Hartlepool.

Tommy Harbron, former lead guitarist with The Zephyrs, passed away on Monday, May 29th, 2017.

You can view a selection of The Zephyrs videos on YouTube and also see some home recordings by guitarist Tommy Harbron on the same channel.

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to Tommy Harbron and Barrie Miller for updates and some of the recent photographic content on this page.